.com This is it? Just two CDs devoted (snicker) to one of the great American bands? With the one-two punch of their mission statements "Jocko Homo" and "Mongoloid" from the early 70's, it's clear that Devo had it all figured out from the beginning. Theirs was a fight against the increasingly alienating modern world, a sort of "if you can't beat it, join it" idea. Devo would find more honest humanity by becoming less human. "Are we not men? We are Devo!" was their declaration, echoing the man-beast experiments in H.G. Wells's Island of Dr. Moreau. Devo were not just academic philosophers, or simple clowns. They could rock! Disjointed beats, Beefheart-worthy rhythms, and strange sounds combined with general outrageousness resulted in a great rock & roll band, and even a hit or two on the pop charts like 1980's "Whip It." The first of the two CDs on the Rhino compilation Pioneers Who Got Scalped goes down like butter, every song a classic. Two or three more CDs could have easily been culled from these same fertile years between their debut album and 1981's New Traditionalists. The second CD starts to lose the plot a bit as the members of Devo started going in different directions, primarily Mark Mothersbaugh's developing interest in movie soundtracks and scoring. But it does still paint the picture of Devo and where they were during what Jerry Casale, Mothersbaugh's writing partner, refers to as "the enigmatic years." Until someone steps up and releases the entire Devo recordings and videos together in one big box, this will have to do. And too many great things cannot be said about the 52-page booklet filled to the gills with info and photos. While completists will still be left wanting, this'll keep most spud boys and girls pogo-ing contentedly. --Steve Turner
L**D
Greatest Hits... and Misses
I have mixed feelings about this double CD"Anthology" from Devo. On the one hand, its a very goodcollection of Devo's essential recordings. They even included difficult to find gems like 'It Takes a Worried Man' and 'Doctor Detroit' -- two of Devo's best you won't find on any of their previous albums. This disc also contains some early pre-Warners versions of 'Jocko Homo' (terrific), 'Mongoloid' and 'Be Stiff'. You'll also hear under-rated gems like 'The Day My Baby Gave Me a Surprize' (which should've been a hit). However -- you can already get most of Devo's best work (for less money) on their 'Greatest Hits' and 'Greatest Misses' CDs. A lot of Devo's post-Warners work is contained here. Devo changed its sound significantly following their last Warners LP (1984's 'Shout'). Songs like 'Baby Doll' have a definite dance music feel -- with heavy synthesizers and drum machine. In fact, much of Devo's soundtrack work -- which dominates Disc Two is sadly uninspired. (Although their version of NIN's 'Head Like A Hole' is worth a listen). I was also disappointed that too many dance-mix versions of popular songs were included here. The version of 'Doctor Detroit' is the longer, over-produced "dance mix" version. You will also hear re-mixes of 'Snowball', 'Here To Go' (The latter of which has already been re-released on 'Greatest Hits' and the Infinite Zero version of 'New Traditionalists'), 'Baby Doll' and 'Disco Dancer'. Also be forewarned that the new song (recorded in 2000) -- 'The Words Get Stuck in My Throat' is actually a joke. It is Booji Boy (aka Mark Mothersbaugh) singing off-key and in a ridiculously high-pitched voice. As silly as it is, it is actually more like "traditional Devo" than most of the rest of Disc Two. It is even poignant in its own a twisted (devolved) way. There is a 52-page booklet which is a great source for Devo photos and illustrations.(Unfortunately the text in the booklet gives little insight to the band itself (Exactly WHY did drummer Alan Myers leave the group in 1988?) -- and the author seems to have never met a Devo song he didn't LOVE. By the way -- the CD cover --one of Devo's best ever -- is in 3-D. It depicts record company executives tossing hatchets at Devo-inspired action figures. Very clever. Devo was great. You will definitely realize that by listening to this collection (Disc Two not withstanding). Howver, if you're looking to just enjoy some classic Devo songs you haven't heard in years (like 'Whip It' and 'Satisfaction')-- get 'Greatest Hits' instead.
A**E
A hidden gem
Owning this CD is like having a little taste of each of Devo's albums. Since I already have all their albums (including greatest hits) I like to bring this CD with me in the car so that I can hear all sides of Devo without needing to bring my entire collection. All the rare bonus tracks that are also included make this CD fun and worth having. Some of my favorites are the Booji Boy version of Jocko Homo and all the Total Devo-esque tracks on disk 2 like Bread and Butter, and I Wouldnt Do That To You. All together fun to listen to and it gets me groovin'.
M**N
If you love those spuds
If you still love those spuds like I do?????? You got to have this in your cd collection........ It's worth any price to have It takes a worried man and the theme from Doctor Detroit finally on cd and not some grainy sounding tape from a decade ago...... Toil is stupid, devolution is real,,,,,, Now all that still have them in there music collections !!!!!! ???? Help get them into the rock n roll hall of fame.....
R**D
Just love DEVO.
I just love these old guys. Pioneers was hard to find. It has a few songs you can't find on any other album of theirs.
K**O
Are we not men?
I had this a few years back. Lost it, so had to finally replace it. Discs were in mint shape for not being sealed. But. This was sold through a THIRD party. Basically goes like this; 43$ through a seller on Amazon.,the packing slip is from another, unknown seller listing a price of 22$. I could have skipped the middle man and saved 20 bucks. Kinda messed up. I'm sure it's a common thing, and it's ok. I got my item. I won't name names. Not my style. Just a good example of 'De-evolution'. Three stars for the sellers misdirection, not the product.
R**N
Five Stars
Item perfect
H**S
disarming transcendence
the 80's were a time o' perceived peace & prosperity. we were all drinking the kool-aid back then - well, at least where i was, secluded in the rural highlands o' the colo rockies. the high-water mark o' punk barely stained the foothills. i was blissfully unaware o' the turmoils that my more coastally-centric peers were protesting; but it's actually a good thing to have some positive memories to look back ondevo is perhaps the ONLY band from the 'klassik' era 80's that i honestly still listen to w/ any frequency. to say they were ahead o' their time is simply a monumental understatement. hell, even rednecks know 'whip it' !not many bands can boast a greatest hits that fill 2 cds worth o' material, especially w/ such a short-lived career. what began as a side-project to score music for a university film became vastly more popular than the film itself (honestly, who among you has even seen it?). not certain whether they were punk or new-wave (or no wave), they were certainly unique - even in their day - which may help xplain why i think they remain relevant today. in fact, their cover o the stone's 'satisfaction' ranks among the most original in rock history - because they very much made it their own, which is precisely what a cover should be (unless you're a cover band). w/o devo there would be NO ministry ! - there, i said itfun fact : they were the ONLY non-rock band to land a song onto the coveted Heavy Metal soundtrack; beyond that, they were the ONLY band to actually appear IN the bloody film - as the bar band ! how's that for influence ?!
E**T
RETURN OF THE PIONEERS
I have owned 'Pioneers' for a decade and have never grown tired of this compilation.This takes us on a chronological adventure through the Devo back catalogue. The material is (on the whole) strong, quirky, entertaining, left-field and tremendous fun!If you want a gateway into the world of Devo or a wonderful collection to play in the car, then look no further.Also, look out for the holographic cover.
J**A
Five Stars
Excellent
D**W
Stunning ! At last I can retire my old Devo LPs.
All the key Devo tracks on two CD's. This is just the way to replace vinyl. It is years since I saw them, but the music is still just a fresh as the first time. They were way ahead of their time, and still no one has quite caught them up. This is post-punk, probably "Techno" music dating back from the 80's. Cover version of "Satisfaction" is truly a unique interpretation - play the Stones' original, then listen to Devo. It's fantastic.
R**E
One of the catchiest groups you will ever here!
Love it. This was first of their albums I ever listened to. Since then I have bought all the albums and their video. Contains different versions of some songs plus other tracks you can't get on their albums. So had to buy it. Its also rare.
F**I
Mit fast außerirdischem Blick auf die Welt...
DEVO haben Rockgeschichte geschrieben, allerdings weitab von den Massen, subversiv, clever und mit viel Freude an der Trashkultur der USA.DEVO steht für "De-Evolution", ihrer Theorie die besagt, daß die Menschheit angefangen hat, sich wieder zurückzuentwickeln. Bestätigt fanden DEVO sich besonders in der Zeit, als George W. Bush an der Macht war und mittlerweile glauben DEVO selbst, daß sie gewissermaßen Propheten sind.Nunja, wenigstens Pioniere waren sie allemal. Dem zollt diese Kompilation von 2000 Tribut, die allerhand Album- und Single-Tracks, sowie diverse eher seltenen gehörte Titel versammelt. Darunter diverse Arbeiten für Filmsoundtracks und PC Spiele und die Neuaufnahme eines in den 70ern nur Live gespielten Titels namens "Words get stuck in my Throat" von Booji Boy.Bemerkenswert ist aber nicht nur die vor allem für Fans lohnende DoCD, sondern auch ihre Verpackung. Das "Wackelcover" erinnert an 3D Postkarten aus den 60er Jahren und das pralle Booklet mit einem historischen Abriß ihrer Karriere und massig Fotos, befriedigt auf ganzer Linie. DEVO haben mit ihrem Space/Pulp/Electro/New Wave Sound und ihrem konsequent selten über 3 Minuten kurzen Durchstarter-Pop, entgegen allen Widrigkeiten durchgehalten.Mit ihrem Anspruch, ein durchdachtes und ganzheitliches Konzept aus Musik UND Optik zu kreiern, haben sie neben dem Spaßfaktor, auch jede Menge Tiefe. Mit Liedzeilen wie "It's A Beautiful World, For You, Not For Me", haben sie einen Platz in den Herzen derer, die Mut brauchen, sich ein ganzes Leben lang auf diesem Planet abzumühen.Großes (Auto-) Kino.
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